Both international honors are firsts for Fresno State, said Eddie Dominguez, Greek adviser in Fresno State’s Student Involvement office.

The North-American Interfraternity Conference Award of Distinction is awarded in four categories: undergraduate, chapter, alumni and council. Fresno State’s lota Beta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was selected for their efforts to educate others about the benefits of a value-based fraternity experience and to maintain a healthy relationship with their international and national organization.

This past year, the chapter was also awarded the Robert A. Smythe Outstanding Chapter Award, the international fraternity’s highest chapter award. Fraternity members have volunteered more than 13,000 hours of community service and have raised nearly $50,000 for various non-profits.

Eberhard, a senior social work major from Paso Robles, is being honored with the Undergraduate Award of Distinction, awarded to a fraternity member who has found in his experience an outlet for developing as both a leader and better man.

Eberhard has served as Inter-Fraternity Council president, chapter president, student government senator and honored as Greek Man of the Year.

“Mr. Eberhard is in the top one percent of all fraternity leaders I have ever known in my 40-plus years in student affairs,” said Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, Fresno State vice president for Student Affairs. He was one of the individuals who nominated Eberhard for the award.

“This is the first time a fraternity man from Fresno State has won,” said Breanne Scogin, coordinator for Leadership Programs. “We have nominated in the past, but never won.”

Pi Kappa Alpha and Eberhard will be presented with their awards at the North-American Interfraternity Conference on April 14 in St. Louis.

Founded in 1909, the North-American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 75 international and national men’s fraternities and works through advocacy, collaboration and education to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environmental conducive to their success.

For more information, contact Jameson Root, director of Student Affairs at Root@NICindy.org.

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